Question
Hi Dr. Starbuck

I have a question regarding brain and spinal MRI's. I was recently diagnosed with MS and was having a follow up MRI of my brain and brain stem. I was put on the MRI table and a white piece of Foam? about 1.5 inches thick was put over my entire abdomen covering from just below my neck to the top of my legs. Why would this be done? Was it to block any pictures in this area so that only the brain and brain stem would show up on pictures. I have had two MRI's done in the past with this being my third and was just wondering because this was not done with the first two. I feel a little silly asking the neurologist, which I wont be able to see for two weeks. Thanks for your time

Answer
Definitely ask your neurologist, that is what they are supposed to do, explain things that are unclear to us.  I am not exactly sure what it was, but my GUESS is that, 1)it was a shield to protect against radiation, just like a normal xray, and/or 2)it was to decrease scatter radiation, or a reflection, so that they could see the brain without any "artifact", the neurologist can explain that.  Those are my only two guesses right now.  If the neurologist doesn't give you a clear answer, you can always go the where you had your MRI and ask the technologist that did the MRI's, they will know also.  Good luck and keep me posted.

Dr. Starbuck